Mitt Romney

My leadership will end the Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity.

And a special thank you to the citizens of Massachusetts: You are paying all the taxes, creating all the jobs, raising all the children. This government is yours. Thank you for letting me serve you. I love this job.

The answer for healthcare is market incentives not healthcare by a Godzilla-sized government bureaucracy.

The strength and power and goodness of America has always been based on the strength and power and goodness of our communities our families our faiths. That is the bedrock of what makes America America. In our best days we can feel the vibrancy of America's communities large and small.

I spent my whole life in the private sector 25 years in the private sector. I understand that when government takes more money out of the hands of people it makes it more difficult for them to buy things. If they can't buy things the economy doesn't grow. If the economy doesn't grow we don't put Americans to work.

By making bold cuts in spending and commonsense entitlement reforms, we will make our government simpler smaller and smarter.

When it comes to pinning blame pin the tail on the donkeys.

My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all - the gift of unconditional love. They cared deeply about who we would be and much less about what we would do.

I stand ready to lead us down a different path where we're lifted up by our desire to succeed not dragged down by a resentment of success.

When you raise taxes on small business from 35% to 40% you will kill jobs.

And that's how it is in America. We look to our communities, our faiths, our families, for our joy, our support in good times and bad. It is both how we live our lives and why we live our lives.

It's time for the party of big ideas not the party of Big Brother!

My dad had been born in Mexico and his family had to leave during the Mexican revolution.

Christianity is not the faith of the complacent the comfortable or of the timid. It demands and creates heroic souls like Wesley Wilberforce Bonhoeffer John Paul the Second and Billy Graham. Each showed in their own way the relentless and powerful influence of the message of Jesus Christ.

I will spend the next four years rebuilding the foundation of a opportunity society led by free people and free enterprises.

I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed. But his promises gave way to disappointment and division. This isn't something we have to accept. Now is the moment when we can do something. With your help we will do something.

We believe in individual initiative personal responsibility opportunity freedom small government the Constitution. These principles these American principles are key to getting our economy back to being successful and leading the world.

It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with, instead of blessed with.

I would cap the amount of federal government can spend at 20 percent of the economy. Bring it back to 20 percent or lower. And say we are not going to spend above that level. Democrats they want to raise your taxes and spend more and more and turn us into an economy which is no longer driven by the private sector.

The American culture promotes personal responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of education, the merit of service, devotion to a purpose greater than self and, at the foundation, the pre-eminence of family.

That business we started with 10 people has now grown into a great American success story.

What does it say about a president's policies when he has to use a cartoon character rather than real people to justify his record? What does it say about the fiction of old liberalism to insist that good jobs and good schools and good wages will result from policies that have failed us time and again?

When sperm and egg unite something goes from inanimate to animate. It is life.

If we become one of those societies that attack success why not come as certain there will be a lot less success? And that's not who we are.

Government is taking 40 percent of the GDP. And that's at the state local and federal level. President Obama has taken government spending at the federal level from 20 percent to 25 percent. Look at some point you cease being a free economy and you become a government economy. And we've got to stop that.

Culture what you believe what you value how you live matters. Now as fundamental as these principles are they may become topics of democratic debates from time to time so it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.

My view is that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. That's the position I've had for some time and I don't intend to make any adjustments at this point... Or ever by the way.

Isn't it fitting that so many of those who have contempt for the private sector will soon find themselves back in it?

Our plans protect freedom and opportunity and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

Our worldly successes cannot be guaranteed but our ability to achieve spiritual success is entirely up to us thanks to the grace of God. The best advice I know is to give is to give those worldly things your best but never your all - reserve the ultimate hope for the only one who can grant it.

I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that's the America millions of Americans believe in. That's the America I love.

If you felt that excitement when you voted for Barack Obama shouldn't you feel that way now that he's President Obama? You know there's something wrong with the kind of job he's done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.

On our watch the conversation with a would-be suicide bomber will not begin with the words 'You have the right to remain silent.'

When my mom ran for the Senate my dad was there for her every step of the way. I can still hear her saying in her beautiful voice 'Why should women have any less say than men about the great decisions facing our nation?'

I don't want to transform America. I want to restore to America the economic values of freedom and opportunity and limited government that has made us the powerhouse of the world.

It's opportunity. It's opportunity not a check from government - it's opportunity that has always driven America and defined us as Americans.

Moral certainty clear standards and a commitment to spiritual ideals will set you apart in a world that searches for meaning.

Conservatism has had from its inception vigorously positive intellectually rigorous agenda and thinking. That agenda should have in my three pillars: strengthen the economy strengthen our security and strengthen our families.

Today's misery is real unemployment home foreclosures and bankruptcies. This is the Obama Misery Index and its at a record high. Its going to take more than new rhetoric to put Americans back to work - its going to take a new president.

The right way to reign in healthcare costs is not by applying more government and more controls and making it more like the post office it's by making it more like a consumer-driven market.

I could have possibly beaten Senator McCain in the primary. Then I could have been the candidate who lost to Barack Obama.

I want you to remember when our White House reflected the best of who we are not the worst of what Europe has become.

The soles of Neil Armstrong's boots on the moon made permanent impressions on our souls and in our national psyche. Ann and I watched those steps together on her parent's sofa. Like all Americans we went to bed that night knowing we lived in the greatest country in the history of the world. God bless Neil Armstrong.

The country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We have to offer an alternative vision.

Internationally President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy. He believes America's role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe a strong America must - and will - lead the future.

Make no mistake in this campaign I will offer the American ideals of economic freedom a clear and unapologetic defense.

We will strengthen our security by building missile defense, restoring our military might and standing by and strengthening our intelligence officers.

President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. My promise... is to help you and your family.

We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life the driven ones the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.

Julia progresses from cradle to grave showing how government makes every good thing in her life possible. The weak economy high unemployment falling wages rising gas prices the national debt the insolvency of entitlements - all these are fictionally assumed away in a cartoon that is produced by a president who wants us to forget about them.

I know what it's like to start a business. I know how extra ordinarily difficult it is to build something from nothing. I know how government kills jobs and yes I know how it can help from time- to-time.

Opportunity expands when there is excellence and choice in education, when taxes are lowered, when every citizen has affordable portable health insurance, and when constitutional freedoms are preserved.

So for instance let me make this clear: You know I signed a statement. I will not raise taxes on anybody. I don't want to raise taxes on the American people.

Our economy is on the move and we are creating thousands of new jobs but we need to keep our foot on the gas pedal.

Dependency is death to initiative to risk-taking and opportunity. It's time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is.

President Obama instituted the most anti-growth anti-investment anti-jobs measures that we have seen in our lifetime. Now he called his agenda ambitious I call it reckless.

What America needs is jobs. Lots of jobs.

At a time when nobody thought we'd ever see a new steel mill built in America we took a chance and built one in a corn field in Indiana. Today Steel Dynamics is one of the largest steel producers in the United States.

The promise of America has always been that if you worked hard had the right values took some risks that there was an opportunity to build a better life for your family and for your next generation.

President Obama Nancy Pelosi Harry Reid and their team have failed the American people and that is why their majority will soon be out the door.

Washington has to become an ally of business not the opposition of business.

Mr. President you were elected to lead. You chose to follow. And now it's time for you to get out of the way.

The American people I talk to don't spend every moment thinking 'How can I tax my neighbor more than they're being taxed?' They say 'How can I get a good job? How can my kids get good jobs? How can seniors have a confidence in their future when they know that Social Security Medicare and Medicaid are bankrupt?'

This is the America that I love. This is a great people. We can do anything. We can achieve anything. We've got a government that has gotten in the way of the American people. We're going to change that in November.

This President takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe, we look to the cities and small towns of America. This President puts his faith in government. We put our faith in the American people.

Business and growing jobs is about taking risk, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding, but always striving. It is about dreams. Usually it doesn't work out exactly as you might have imagined. Steve Jobs was fired at Apple. He came back and changed the world.

I've met graduating college kids facing loan payments and a bad economy and they are worried that they won't be able to get a job. This is not the way America needs to be.

The principles that made this nation a great and powerful leader of the world have not lost their meaning. They never will. We know we can bring this country back. I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America. And I'm running for president of the United States.

Since Castro took power the Cuban people have been denied basic human freedoms. No freedom of religion no freedom of the press no political freedom. And the regime uses brutality and violence to suppress these freedoms and impose its will.

In recent years we have seen the United States back away from pressuring the Castro regime under the misguided view that placating them with an open hand would yield progress. That naivete has invited only more cruelty and oppression in return.

President Obama wants to put free enterprise on trial.

What we have what we wish we had - ambitions fulfilled ambitions disappointed investments won investments lost elections won elections lost - these things may occupy our attention but they do not define us.

It seems that the first victim of an Obama campaign is the truth. It seems that the first victim of an Obama campaign is the truth.

Staple a green card to their diploma - welcome to the United States of America! We want those people in our country.

I went to Massachusetts to make a difference. I didn't go there to begin a political career running time and time again. I made a difference. I put in place the things I wanted to do.

All the laws and legislation in the world will never heal this world like the loving hearts and arms of mothers and fathers. If every child could drift to sleep feeling wrapped in the love of their family - and God's love - this world would be a far more gentle and better place.

Instead of just giving lip service to improving our schools I will actually put the kids first and the teachers union behind in giving our kids better teachers better options and better choices for a better future.

Our nation is too different too diverse to say that what works in Massachusetts is somehow going to be grabbed by the federal government usurping the power of states and imposing a one-size-fits-all plan on the nation. That will not work.

You know out-of-touch liberals like Barack Obama say they want a strong economy but in everything they do they show they don't like business very much. But the economy of course is simply the product of all the businesses of the nation added together. So it's a bit like saying you like an omelet but you don't like eggs.

Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. But from the beginning this nation trusted in God not man. Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Constitution.

You know my dad served in the President's Cabinet after his time as a governor. He told me he enjoyed being governor a lot more. Now I understand why. If I do my job well I can make a difference in people's lives and I can help our children realize their dreams.

Three years ago this week a newly elected President Obama faced the American people and he said look if I can't turn this economy around in three years I'll be looking at a one-term proposition and we're here to collect! You know the results. It's been 35 months of unemployment above 8 percent.

Now workers should have the right to join unions. But unions should not be forced upon workers. And unions should not have the power to take money our of their members' paychecks to buy the support of politicians that are favored by the union bosses.

Together we will build an America where hope is a new job with a paycheck not a faded word on an old bumper sticker.

Freedom. Freedom of religion. Freedom to speak their mind. Freedom to build a life. And yes freedom to build a business. With their own hands. This is the essence of the American experience.

Men and women of every faith and good people with none at all sincerely strive to do right and lead a purpose-driven life.

We have serious enemies and growing threats around the world. Unfortunately we have an administration whose idea of a rogue state is Arizona.

Democrats want to use the slowdown as an excuse to do what their special interests are always begging for: higher taxes bigger government and less trade with other nations.

Reforming the way the state works with businesses and providing incentives for employers will help preserve and create new jobs in Massachusetts.

The America we all know has been a story of the many becoming one, uniting to preserve liberty, uniting to build the greatest economy in the world, uniting to save the world from unspeakable darkness.

President Obama's view of a free economy is to send your money to his friends. My vision for a free enterprise economy is to return entrepreneurship and genius and creativity to the American people!

You balance the budget by restraining the growth of government and encouraging the growth of the private sector.

Conservatives believe in providing Constitutional rights to our citizens, not to enemy combatants like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

And this President wakes up every morning, looks out across America and is proud to announce 'It could be worse.' It could be worse? Is that what it means to be an American? It could be worse? Of course not. What defines us as Americans is our unwavering conviction that we know it must be better.

Some of the companies we helped start are names you know. An office supply company called Staples - where I'm pleased to see the Obama campaign has been shopping, The Sports Authority which became a favorite of my sons. We started an early childhood learning center called Bright Horizons that First Lady Michelle Obama rightly praised.

Free enterprise has done more to lift people out of poverty to help build a strong middle class to help educate our kids and to make our lives better than all the programs of government combined.

The Cuban people still live in constant fear of a brutal totalitarian regime that has demonstrated time and again its utter disregard for basic human dignity. The fight for a free Cuba has gone on for far too long.

This is a global effort we're going to have to lead to overcome this jihadist effort. It's more than Osama bin Laden. But he is going to pay and he will die.

Ronald Reagan was a president of strength. His philosophy was a philosophy of strength - a strong military a strong economy and strong families.

The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government.

If you want a president who will make things better in the African-American community you are looking at him. You take a look!

Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear.

Mr. Chairman delegates. I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America. I do so with humility deeply moved by the trust you have placed in me. It is a great honor. It is an even greater responsibility.

Republicans prefer straight talk to politically correct talk!

I've been looking at some video clips on YouTube of President Obama - then candidate Obama - going through Iowa making promises. The gap between his promises and his performance is the largest I've seen well since the Kardashian wedding and the promise of 'til death do we part.

That said your values will not always be the object of public admiration. In fact the more you live by your beliefs the more you will endure the censure of the world.

Like me the great majority of Americans wish both to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and to oppose bias and intolerance directed towards gays and lesbians.

No person I have ever met not even the most righteous or pure of heart has gone without those times when faith recedes in the busy-ness of life.

Mom and Dad were married 64 years. And if you wondered what their secret was you could have asked the local florist - because every day Dad gave Mom a rose which he put on her bedside table. That's how she found out what happened on the day my father died - she went looking for him because that morning there was no rose.

Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Constitution. And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted compassion for the needy and the sick or mercy for the child waiting to be born there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.

I am in favor of stem-cell research. I am not in favor of creating new human embryos through cloning.

People from both political parties have long recognized that welfare without work creates negative incentives that lead to permanent poverty. It robs people of self-esteem.

We still believe in the America that is a land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom. We believe in the America that challenges each of us to be better and bigger than ourselves.

On one of the most personal matters of our lives our health care President Obama would turn decision making over to government bureaucrats. He forced through Obama-care and I will repeal it.

For those who have come here illegally they might have a transition time to allow them to set their affairs in order. And then go back home and get in line with everybody else. And if they get in line and they apply to become a citizen and get a green card they will be treated like everybody else.

Third we will make trade work for America by forging new trade agreements. And when nations cheat in trade there will be unmistakable consequences.

We conservatives don't have a corner on saying 'no'. We're just the ones who say it when it's the right thing to say.

I don't see how a young American can vote for well can vote for a Democrat.

And let me make this very clear - unlike President Obama I will not raise taxes on the middle class. As president I will protect the sanctity of life. I will honor the institution of marriage. And I will guarantee America's first liberty: the freedom of religion.

I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began with an apology tour. America he said had dictated to other nations. No Mr. President America has freed other nations from dictators.

Even though I love solar and love wind like most people do I like the renewable sources they alone are not going to get America energy independent.

I feel very deeply about the need to respect and tolerate people of different social - or sexual orientation. But at the same time I believe marriage should be preserved as an institution for one man and one woman.

In the richest country in the history of the world this Obama economy has crushed the middle class. Family income has fallen by $4 000 but health insurance premiums are higher food prices are higher utility bills are higher and gasoline prices have doubled. Today more Americans wake up in poverty than ever before.

Instead of leading the world by how much we borrow it's time that we make sure we lead the world in how much we build and create and invest.

President Barack Obama has stood watch over the greatest job loss in modern American history. And that, my friends, is one inconvenient truth that will haunt this President throughout history.

Fourth to assure every entrepreneur and every job creator that their investments in America will not vanish, as have those in Greece, we will cut the deficit and put America on track to a balanced budget.

Central to America's rise to global leadership is our Judeo-Christian tradition with the vision of the goodness and possibilities of every human life.

I don't doubt for a second that Neil Armstrong's spirit is still with us: that unique blend of optimism humility and the utter confidence that when the world needs someone to do the really big stuff you need an American.

The words spoken by the leader of the free world can expand the frontiers of freedom or shrink them. When Ronald Reagan called on Gorbachev to "tear down this wall " a surge of confidence rose that would ultimately breach the bounds of the evil empire.

And the American people are the greatest people in the world. What makes America the greatest nation in the world is the heart of the American people: hardworking innovative risk-taking God- loving family-oriented American people.

I will promote savings and investment by maintaining the 15% rate on capital gains and dividends. I will eliminate the tax entirely for those with annual income below $200 000.

Now is the moment when we can stand up and say 'I'm an American. I make my destiny. And we deserve better! My children deserve better! My family deserves better. My country deserves better!' So here we stand. Americans have a choice.

The president may be a nice guy but he's just over his head.

We reserve our deepest respect and admiration for those who volunteer for service and give their lives to help keep our nation secure.

People of different faiths, like yours and mine, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose when there are so many differences in creed and theology. Surely the answer is that we can meet in service in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview.

I am running for president to help create a better future. A future where everyone who wants a job can find one. Where no senior fears for the security of their retirement. An America where every parent knows that their child will get an education that leads them to a good job and a bright horizon.

First by 2020 North America will be energy independent by taking full advantage of our oil and coal and gas and nuclear and renewables.